WATERTOWN, S.D. (KELO) — It could have been a heart-wrenching day for a family in Watertown. The Biliazes are originally from Ukraine but moved to South Dakota two years ago as war started in their home country.
At one point, the family was told they needed to leave by August 17, but their stay in the United States has been extended.
There is a mood of excitement for Valerii and Ilona Biliaze.
“We are happy. Very happy,” Valerii Biliaze said.
That wasn’t the case for the family of five when we sat down with them last month when their two-year humanitarian parole from the United for Ukraine Program was almost up.
“Right now, we’re feeling better. Now, we have two years more,” Ilona Biliaze said.
“She showed us the phone online and said, ‘Case approved,’ and I immediately started crying, put my head in my hands, and I started crying out of just sheer relief of anxiety and fear,” the Biliaze’s sponsor, Susan Buhler, said.
Susan Buhler and her husband, Bruce, housed the Biliazes until they found a place of their own.
“We have people commend us for having them live with us, but I promise you that the blessing was for us. They’ve become our family,” Bruce Buhler said.
As the Biliazes fought to stay here, they said they received an overwhelming amount of support.
A combination of community members, politicians, church members and more fought for them to stay.
“We want to say to everyone, thank you for your help, for your support,” Ilona Biliaze said.
The Biliazes are also focused on what happens next.
“Now, we want think about what do after; we want maybe a green card or a citizenship,” Ilona Biliaze said.
But for now, they’ll enjoy the extended time they have in Watertown.
“We’re happy here. This is our home,” Ilona Biliaze said.
Home for two more years.
The Buhlers say there’s Ukrainians across the country that are in a similar situation as the Biliiazes, as they hope those families can find a way to stay in the U.S. longer.
